The VCSE Health Improvement Fund awards over £111k to support children’s mental health
The VCSE Health Improvement FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions. is led and managed by Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF) and forms part of the broader Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) funding portfolio, which is distributed by Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF).
Cornwall VSF with funding from the ICB, awarded £100,000 for this fund at the end of 2025, which was generously matched by £22,000 from CCF donors: the AVdB Hartley Fund, Quies Trust and the Trewithen Fund. This enabled us to distribute £111,545 to 15 grassroots community groups.
Due to growing demand for mental health support for children and young people (CYP), we focused the 2025 round on projectsA piece of work that delivers an output. across Cornwall that improve mental wellbeing, resilience, and emotional health in children and young people aged 0–25.
The fund provided grants of up to £10,000 to community-based, voluntary, and not-for-profit groups delivering preventative and early-intervention work in this field.
Among the funded projects is Intercom Trust, which will use its grant to support Young and Yourself (YAY), a youth group for LGBTQ+ young people aged 18–25, many of whom have additional needs. The funding will enable two facilitated sessions per month at Intercom Trust’s Truro building, led by a qualified youth worker alongside an LGBTQ+ youth worker, providing a safe, affirming and supportive space.
BF Adventure (pictured) will use its grant to support children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) and those who are neurodivergent. The funding will enable access to one-to-one alternative education provision through BF Adventure’s specialist programmes, helping young people re-engage, build confidence and develop coping skills.
Trelya will deliver intensive, trauma-informed support for children and young people in West Cornwall. Each participant will receive up to four hours of personalised weekly support, including therapeutic interventions from qualified therapists, alongside practical and emotional support from frontline workers and opportunities to develop life skills.
Other organisations supported through the fund include Carefree Cornwall, Young People Cornwall, A Band of Brothers, Georgia’s Voice, KBSK Performing Arts CIC, Livewire Music Youth Project, The Core, Ignite You CIC, Kernow Youth CIC, WILD Young Parents, Penhaligon’s Friends, and PZN Youth CIC. Together, these projects are strengthening mental health support across the region, helping children and young people feel safer, more resilient and better equipped to thrive.
In 2025, 39% of grant awards by Cornwall Community Foundation supported children and young people, representing a 19% increase from 2024. This growing investment reflects both rising need and the strength of the community organisations working tirelessly to support young people’s mental health.
Sophie Griffiths, Programme Director at CCF, said:
“We are incredibly grateful for this funding. It will make a real difference to the lives of children and young people across the county, helping them to build confidence, and supporting their emotional wellbeing. Supporting these vital projects ensures that young people have access to the help they need, when they need it most.”
Through continued investment in early intervention and community-led support, the ICB Fund is helping to create healthier futures for children and young people across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
